Acne: benefits and harms to the body

Eel has long occupied a place of honor in the list of food favorites. Its tender juicy meat differs from other seafood in its elegant taste. This fish, resembling a snake in body shape, feels great in the depths of the sea and in shallow rivers. Fishermen consider it an honor to catch a large specimen of eel, and those who succeed, then talk for a long time about the rich catch.

Therefore, when snake fish occasionally appears on store shelves, it is instantly sold out. And such a popularity of the predatory representative of ichthyofauna cannot be considered an accident. After all, from ancient times, eel was famous not only for its gastronomic qualities, but also for healing power. The nutrient broth prepared with it literally lifted heavy patients out of bed. The diet with this delicious fish, in our time, helps people with weakened immunity recover, and also accelerates recovery after complex operations. A huge number of eel dishes can be prepared.

But before you start choosing the best recipes, you should get to know this unusual inhabitant of fresh and salt ponds better.

What does eel look like and where is it found?

In the biological classification, eel is a whole family of different species of marine and freshwater fish. Despite the existing distinctive features, all varieties of eel have a number of common features. Therefore, in the description of the main characteristics, we will pay attention to generalizing features.

External signs

The eel looks very much like a snake:

1. Its cylindrical, flexible body is elongated and covered with mucus, under which small scales of oblong shape are distinctly felt.
2. The color on the back is closer to a brown or black shade, the abdomen is yellowish.
3. The head of a small size is slightly flattened from the sides, and small but very sharp teeth fill the small mouth.

Nutrition

Eel is a carnivorous predator. Its diet is composed of small fish, crustaceans, caviar of other inhabitants of the reservoir. But, like any gourmet, this predator has its favorite treats, including snails, worms and small animals. In principle, eel can be eaten by everyone who lives at the bottom of the reservoir. In search of food, he silently hides in ambush for hours, and then suddenly attacks the prey. As sharp as knives with teeth, an eel grinds food quickly. Therefore, in one "lunch" he is able to eat a large amount of live weight.

These amazing creatures actively feed only in the warm season, and with the onset of cold weather they fall into suspended animation. In this state, eels survive the winter, spending in this mode the energy potential accumulated over the summer. In the spring, they emerge from a state of stupor and begin to hunt again.

Lifestyle

Eel prefers night life, and during the day burrows itself into the ground. Outside, only the head remains so that the predator can track the surrounding situation. According to biologists, eel very quickly adapts to any conditions, as evidenced by the geography of its distribution. He feels comfortable in the salty marine environment and fresh water of shallow streams. Some river representatives of this family can maintain their existence for a long time even without water, if the external environment is well saturated with moisture.

Breeding

Only in the last century, scientists managed to thoroughly find out how acne multiply. And this process deserves special attention.As soon as the eel reaches the age of puberty, it rushes into the ocean to meet a new life. And often this desire is so strong that fish from water canals are thrown onto land, over which it overcomes part of its path. This usually happens in the spring. During this period, you can often see an eel wriggling in the grass, which people take for a snake.

For a person, eel is safe, but it can disable a hydraulic structure. True, today such emergencies rarely occur, since the snake fish now bypasses such obstacles.

Eel is laid in the warm depths of the Sargasso Sea. It is interesting that the female only spawns for the only time in her life, and after spawning all adult individuals die. At one time, the female swallows up to half a million small eggs. Along with the course, eel larvae fall to the shores of Europe. Young growth takes about 3 years on this journey. Therefore, by the end of the route, the larvae turn into small transparent creatures resembling willow leaves.

Acne grows very slowly and only by the fifth year of its life reach a meter length and weight of about 1.5 kg. But in nature there are unique specimens up to 2 m long.

Young fish enters Russian waters from the Baltic Sea basin. Fish quickly settle on rivers and lakes, which for the next 6–10 years will become a permanent residence for eels.

Interesting fact! Eel is considered a valuable commercial fish. But on an industrial scale, mainly marine species are mined.

Kinds

The blackhead population is considered the largest. Representatives of this family can be found in almost any corner of the planet. All of them are divided into two main groups: sea and river. Then each subgroup is divided into species whose name is associated with the habitat. To date, biologists have described 18 species of snake fish, but European and American eel are of great value, according to experts. This interest is caused by the fact that these two species are able to migrate simultaneously in saline and fresh water bodies, and the rest survive only in one of the named environments. Let us consider in more detail the features of each group.

River eels
These species are also called migratory species, since they are sent for spawning from a fresh habitat to salty ocean waters. This feature fundamentally distinguishes river eel from salmon and sturgeon fish. All river inhabitants belong to the order of bony fish.

Japanese eel can also live safely in any aquatic environment. It lives off the coast of Japan, in the Chinese Sea, in Korea and Taiwan. Representatives of this species glow in the dark. This is the most expensive type of fish delicacy. The Japanese love eels, so in their national cuisine it occupies a major place. They prepare a huge number of dishes from this fish, including the famous sushi and rolls. Since fishing for this rare fish is practically not controlled by the state, the Greenpeace organization was concerned about the conservation of the population.

Electric eel is another unusual European cousin. Its peculiarity is that it generates electricity to protect its person. This unique ability is actively used by the predator during hunting and movement. Sometimes electric eel gives a discharge of up to 600 V, so it is quite capable of killing or stunning a large animal and even a person.

Sea eel (Atlantic conger)
Most often, representatives of this particular species are confused with snakes. But the meat of a marine inhabitant is much tastier than that of its river relative. It has fewer bones, it is more juicy. But, despite being saturated with fats, the calorie content of sea eel is less than that of river fish. The body of a resident of the deep sea is devoid of scales. This species is found mainly on rocky coasts. The fish arranges for themselves a cozy home in crevices of rocks, caves, as well as inside sunken ships. Sea eel breeds in the Atlantic, namely in the area between Gibraltar and the Azores.

Garden eel differs from its relatives in its original spotty color. This trait is explained by the fact that representatives of this species "stand" in water for almost their entire life, resembling a tree. When in this position there is a whole flock of fish, then a similar picture really resembles a garden. True, when approaching danger, fish-trees dive and hide in their burrows on the sandy bottom. Interestingly, when in an upright position, the fish constantly swing, disguising themselves as stems of aquatic plants. Garden eel uses this technique to lull the vigilance of a potential victim. It can stand for a long time, swaying in the water, but when a small fish appears, it instantly grabs prey with a large mouth. Garden eels can be found in the Red Sea and off the island of Madagascar.

Moray eel is also one of the most common species of eel fish. It is the closest relative of conger eel. She has exactly the same long body and fins. Only in moray eels, the body color is dark brown with white spots, and pectoral fins are completely absent. This species forms its own family, although the appearance of moray eels is very similar to eel. The predator lives in tropical warm waters, leads a nocturnal lifestyle, hunting for smaller marine inhabitants. Moreover, the moray eats swallow its entire prey. The meat of this predator is considered one of the most expensive delicacies.

Note! Lampreys are also very similar in appearance to eels, but belong to the class of cyclostomes. These fish lead a parasitic lifestyle, tightly joining the body of the owner with their teeth, and through the oral sucker suck out his blood. These vampires don't mind eating mice.

Composition and calorie content

The meat of both sea and river eel is full of healthy substances. Although there is some difference between the compositions of the two species, the general set of components is almost the same. The chemical formula is a well-balanced combination of the following substances:

1. Vitamin A, (retinol) improves the functions of the visual apparatus, the condition of the skin and hair. The presence of this component in food slows down the aging process.
2. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is involved in almost all biochemical processes, including the synthesis of important hormones.
3. Vitamin group B in eel meat is almost completely present. These vitamins have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and many other organs.
4. Vitamin D is known to be responsible for the strength of bones and teeth, which is especially important for the growing body of children.
5. Mineral elements are found in large quantities in eel meat. These are cobalt, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, calcium and many other valuable minerals from the periodic table.
6. Omega fatty acids are especially good for your health. They play a major role in the formation of the nervous system, stimulate the production of important hormones, and prevent aging of the skin.
7. Proteins occupy a large part of the composition, they account for almost 15%.
8. High quality fats occupy 30% of the total composition.
9. Amino acids, including essential ones, regulate important processes in the body, including the synthesis of hormones.
10. A small amount of ascorbic acid is also found in acne. This substance enhances the protective functions of the immune system.
11. In addition to these components, in eel meat there is ash and beneficial cholesterol, which is necessary for the normal activity of the brain and nervous system.

Such a rich composition of seafood is of great value as a natural source of vital elements for muscle and bone tissues. Therefore, the product is included in the list of many diets, despite its high calorie content - 333 units.

It is interesting! The peak demand for eel in Japan coincides with mid-summer. Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun claim that the fatty meat of a marine predator helps them better withstand the heat.

What is eel good for?

General benefit

Doctors and nutritionists strongly recommend that people of all ages periodically include any kind of eel dishes in the menu.Of course, these recommendations do not apply to food made from raw meat. But a product that has undergone good heat treatment will only benefit. Such a dietary supplement will serve as an effective prophylaxis for many diseases, as well as speed up recovery after previous pathologies and operations. The benefits of a fish diet with eel dishes are manifested by the following beneficial actions:

• muscle tone improves;
• the state of the nervous system is stabilized;
• blood circulation is normalized;
• heart function improves;
• the skin is protected from the harmful effects of sunlight;
• tissue regeneration and wound healing are accelerated;
• development of oncology is prevented;
• the stamina of the body increases;
• the process of hematopoiesis is normalized;
• vision improves;
• the aging process of tissues at the cellular level slows down.

Eel fish dishes contain a whole group of antioxidants - substances that can neutralize free radicals. They are considered the main provoking factors of many diseases, including the formation of malignant tumors. All of these properties in combination provide significant support to the body, increasing its resistance to the negative effects of both internal and external factors. Consider what benefits fish eel can provide people of different ages and gender.

For women

The female body throughout life is subject to strong emotional, and sometimes physical, stress. Therefore, eel meat is one of the few products that can offset the effects of many negative causes on a woman’s health.

1. First of all, the fact that this product is saturated with vitamins deserves attention, and this group of substances regulates the most important processes: the production of sex hormones, the thyroid gland, the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates.
2. The second advantage of snake fish is its high antioxidant ability. This means that if a woman’s menu contains fish dishes at least 2 times a week, she will retain her attractiveness and youthful appearance for many years.
3. A third equally important quality is sexual health. This is not customary to talk about, but most of the intimate problems that spoil family relationships are precisely in the woman’s passive attitude toward her partner. Therefore, a valuable fish must be eaten, as it can be used to increase libido.

For men

It should be noted that most men are not only avid fishermen, they like to enjoy simple but healthy dishes from their catch. Often, such dishes are prepared directly on the banks of the river, where a fish was caught. And they do the right thing, because fresh eel produces a very tasty and nutritious ear. The fish can be cooked on charcoal. A dish of fresh fish is healthier than food prepared from a product that has been in the refrigerator.

Acne, marine or river, for a man can be a real helper in solving intimate problems, if any. But even for healthy representatives of the stronger sex, normal potency is of great importance. In addition, eel meat is full of useful elements that help you recover quickly after hard physical work and training. Eel, like any other fish, has the ability to calm the nervous system. That is, in stressful situations, a fish diet with eel can instead of tablets play the role of an antidepressant.

During pregnancy

But expectant mothers need to be very careful about eating eel, despite the fact that its menu should include fish dishes at least 2 times a week. Although all fish products undergo strict control, it is likely that a specimen will fall onto the pregnant table, in the meat of which the norm of heavy metals is exceeded. In addition, river eels are often infected with parasites.

When breastfeeding

Lactating women should also choose a different fish for their table.Eel, like some other long-livers of seas and rivers, accumulates mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - substances that destroy the liver. Considering the fact that, together with breast milk, such dangerous toxins can enter the body of a child, you need to carefully choose the varieties of fish for the diet. It is strictly forbidden to use any dried, smoked and salted fish, since such products are not subjected to heat treatment at all.

Attention! Both pregnant and lactating mothers should not, under any pretext, eat Asian dishes made from raw fish.

For kids

Eel is not suitable for the first feeding of babies up to a year. But older children can cook steamed dishes from this valuable product if they have no allergies. The first acquaintance with a new seafood should begin with a minimum portion, it is enough to give the child a try a small piece. If the baby's body responds normally to such an additive, you can gradually increase the portion to the age norm. Steamed or boiled eel is saturated with proteins that are beneficial for the growing body. The delicacy cooked by such methods has a soft and delicate taste. But because of the risk of the presence of mercury in meat, such dishes should not be given more than 2 times a week.

When losing weight

In diets aimed at reducing body weight, eel meat can form the basis of nutrition. Despite the relatively high percentage of fat, sea eel is less caloric than its river counterpart. Its meat is cleaner and tastier, and iodine is much more beneficial for the thyroid gland.

In addition, seafood is perfectly absorbed by the digestive system, and the nutrients received in the body saturate the tissues and accelerate the metabolism. The advantage of the fish diet is that even a small portion of the product will satisfy the feeling of the year, but excess fat will not be postponed.

Once again, I want to emphasize that with weight loss, smoking and pickles from fish will not be useful, but, on the contrary, can cause swelling. Therefore, food from eel should be prepared only by gentle methods, be sure to expose it to prolonged thermal effects. But to abuse a fish product is not worth it especially for those who have a tendency to gain weight.

Note: for young children the permissible daily allowance of any fish is 200 g, for adults - 300 g.

Harm and contraindications

Any product suitable for consumption has both positive and negative characteristics. The direct risks of eating eel meat were discussed above. But there is also a potential danger that can occur only after eating fish meat. Eel dishes should not be prepared for those with:

• chronic gastritis;
• obesity 3 degrees;
• individual intolerance;
• chronic cholecystitis;
• pancreatitis

As mentioned above, pregnant and lactating mothers are also better off risking. If the doctor permits, then once a week a small piece of eel baked in the oven can be eaten.

How to choose and store

Sea eel is a frequent visitor to store stalls, so you can almost always get valuable seafood. But it is important to learn how to choose quality fish so as not to spoil the mood with the poor taste of the cooked dish. Experts advise before you pay for a product to conduct a few simple tests:

1. Rate the smell: eel differs from other inhabitants of water bodies, which does not have a characteristic fish aroma.
2. Then examine the skin of your favorite specimen: it should be shiny and smooth.
3. Freshness of seafood is usually determined by the eyes - they should be clear without a cloudy film.
4. And the last quality test is to press on the carcass with your finger. In fresh fish, the dent will quickly disappear.

Storage rules
Fresh fish should be put into action immediately.If you do not plan to prepare dishes from it on the day of purchase, you can identify the product on the lower shelf of the refrigerator for several hours. Only frozen fish may be stored in the freezer, but this period must not exceed two months.

How to carve an eel

Butchering eel is considered the most important part of cooking. The taste of the prepared dish depends on the quality of this stage. Therefore, the basic rules for cutting fish carcasses should be remembered:

1. To quickly remove mucus from the skin surface, rub the carcass with salt.
2. Then rinse the fish thoroughly under water.
3. Dry with a paper towel.
4. Behind the gills, make a circular incision and in the same place, using a knife, begin to separate the skin from the meat, holding the head.
5. Only after removing the skin from the fish carcass to remove the head.
6. Rinse the fish again with water before cooking.

Addition: experienced cooks advise home-cooks to simply cut the eel into small pieces and boil it. Then the rich fish broth can be used as a fill.

How to make eel delicious: recipes

Eel is considered an integral part of Asian cuisine. In China and Japan, exotic dishes are prepared from snake fish, which Europeans should taste very carefully. Increased caution should be exercised if you want to try food from raw fish. Although in the same China, a delicious casserole with garlic, bamboo shoots and soy sauce is prepared from eel. Such a snack in combination with rice wine is very popular with our tourists. In Japan, traditional soups are made from sea eel, which are also worth a try when visiting this country.

In European cuisine, it is customary to cook expensive delicacies from the meat of a sea or river predator. Domestic housewives can recommend several easy-to-cook, but very tasty and healthy fish dishes for the family menu.

What can be made from eel
Eel is considered a self-sufficient product. Therefore, even a dish executed in a mono version will be no less nutritious than in combination with other ingredients. From eel meat you can cook:

• borscht;
• ear
• pickle;
• fish salad;
• cold snacks;
• barbecue;
• balyk and many more delicious delicacies.

To replenish the home collection of recipes, the following eel dishes are quite suitable.

In the oven

In general, eel does not require special treatment. Cooking from this fish does not take much time, which is very important for busy housewives. Today, fish specialties cooked in the oven are popular. We hope that pragmatic housewives will take note of this recipe.

For one kilogram carcass of eel you will need:

• sour cream - 1 glass;
• garlic - a couple of cloves;
• vegetable oil - as needed;
• salt, pepper, spices for fish.

How to cook:

1. Processed and gutted carcass cut into portions.
2. Add salt and pepper to each slice, mix everything well so that the spices are evenly distributed.
3. In such a dry marinade, keep the fish for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.
4. Then in a frying pan, heat the right amount of oil and fry the pieces sliced ​​in flour on both sides until a delicious crust appears.
5. Grease the fried fish with garlic mass, then fold the pieces of eel into a baking dish. Pour sour cream over all the deliciousness and sprinkle with the remaining garlic.
6. Bake the dish for 7 minutes at 200 ° C.

In the pan

Fried eel is the standard of everyday diet. But if you slightly change the recipe, you get a dish that is not ashamed to serve to the festive table. It is better to fry eel after removing the skin. The fish will quickly and well be fried if the carcass is cut into pieces of 5-7 cm.

Pieces of fish should be put in the oil heated in a frying pan, after first crumbling each piece in flour or breadcrumbs for breading. Since eel draws in a lot of oil, it is important to ensure that the fish does not burn. When it is well fried, the delicacy is directly served hot to the table. Like any fish, eel goes well with rice and vegetables, but culinary experts advise sprinkling it with lemon juice before serving.

Grilled

Every fisherman with many years of experience at least once tasted an eel barbecue. The taste of such a barbecue is difficult to compare with any other dish. Therefore, such a refinement, prepared even in field conditions, will be remembered for a long time. But a delicious fish kebab can be cooked at home on the grill. What is required for this:

• fish carcass - 500-600 g;
• raw eggs - 2 pcs.;
• lemon juice - 2 tbsp .;
• vegetable oil - 3-4 tbsp;
• salt with pepper, you can add any spices to taste.

Cooking process:

1. From the prepared eel carcass, first remove the skin, rinse, season with spices, sprinkle with lemon juice.
2. In this form, leave the meat to marinate for half an hour.
3. Then dip each piece first into the beaten egg mass, and then roll in the breading.
4. Put the fish blanks on a greased grate. Sprinkle generously with vegetable oil.
5. Grill eel skewers on hot coals, often turning the pieces over. Each time, be sure to spray with oil.

Can Muslims Eel

The diet of Muslims is different from the usual for Orthodox food. But the fish is allowed to eat, because it does not have to be slaughtered like animals. Therefore, eels to supporters of this religion can be eaten.

Interesting Facts

1. Scientists believe that eel is one of the oldest species of marine life. It appeared about 100 million years ago near Indonesia, and then migrated to the region of the Japanese archipelago. Today, a large population of this fish lives in Lake Hamanaka.
2. Acne is characterized by longevity. So, the most famous representative of this species in the world, the male Putt, lived up to 85 years. He was accidentally caught in the south of Sweden in 1863, but the giant was so interested in scientists that he was given a comfortable life in a large aquarium, where he spent the rest of his life.
3. Sea eels, unlike their freshwater counterparts, can reach a length of up to 3 m. Perhaps this particular feature has generated many legends about the existence of a giant serpentine monster, which sailors have repeatedly met on their way.
4. In the days of Aristotle, people believed that eel is a product of silt. Such judgments were caused by the fact that it was not possible to find out how this fish is born. Only in our time, scientists have traced the migration of predators to the place of spawning.

After getting to know the amazing fish, there should be no doubt about its beneficial properties. Eel for every family can be a real find, because from this type of fish you can cook hearty and healthy dishes in almost any known culinary way.

Photo of eel